Sec. 10.21.08.04. Standards for Identification Audiometry

A. Staff, as defined in Regulation .03C(4)(b), of this chapter, shall conduct manually administered, individual pure tone air conduction screening procedures for identification audiometry on each patient with a developmental age of 3 years or older. The following apply:

(1) Patients with a developmental age of less than 3 years shall be referred to an audiologist for an evaluation.

(2) Group screening may not be conducted on any patient.

B. Pure tone testing shall use test frequencies at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz. Screening levels shall be 20dB hearing level at all frequencies tested.

C. Audiometers Used for Screening Purposes.

(1) For either a limited range or a narrow range audiometer, audiometers shall meet the requirements found in "Specifications for Audiometers" (ANSI S3.6-1969, American National Standards Institute), which is incorporated by reference.

(2) Audiometers shall be calibrated by an appropriately and professionally trained person at least annually.

(3) Sound pressure at the ear phones shall be checked at least every 3 months.

(4) Daily listening checks shall be performed to determine that the audiometer is grossly in calibration and that no defects exist in major components.

(5) An audiologist shall instruct support personnel in the proper handling and operation of audiometric equipment in order to minimize the need for repairs and to improve test accuracy.

D. In accordance with Regulation .05 and the requirements found in "Criteria for Permissible Ambient Noise During Audiometric Testing" (ANSI S3.1-1977 American National Standards Institute), which is incorporated by reference, ambient noise levels may not exceed 41.5 dB Sound Pressure Level (SPL) at 500 Hz, 49.5 dB SPL at 1000 Hz, 54.5 dB SPL at 2000 Hz, and 62 dB SPL at 4000 Hz when measured using a sound level meter with octave-band filters centered on the screening frequencies.

E. Nonresponse to the recommended screening levels at any frequency in either ear shall constitute failure.

F. Failures shall be rescreened within the same screening session, if possible.

G. Failures on rescreening shall be referred for an audiologic evaluation by an audiologist.